I attended some recent conferences where speakers presented their rendition of the causes and solutions to the widespread nursing vacancies challenging healthcare facilities across the US. It is no surprise that this is a hot topic given the unprecedented staffing shortages, the difficulty filling frontline nursing positions, and the significant impact on healthcare delivery. However, the most striking aspect of sessions purporting to offer causes and solutions made me sadly aware of the viewpoints not being shared. Though there were some excellent nurse presenters, none were currently at the bedside. The speakers did a great job offering their perspectives, but the voice of the nurse serving at the frontlines was clearly absent.
The experience was similar to the ancient parable where five men who are blind positioned around an elephant were asked to describe it. What each man concludes is fully based on the part of the elephant he feels. Although everyone can provide valuable insights, the whole story can only be told when the right stakeholders come together, share their experiences, and resolve any gaps by including the people who actually do the work.
Imagine being invited to speak about the reasons nurses are leaving as well as solutions to stop the flight of talent based on the perspective of a frontline nurse. Conference organizers and attendees will expect your proposed solutions to be well thought out, feasible, and communicated in a professional manner. Any assertions you make will require supportive, objective, and compelling facts about the current reality as well as narrative examples that paint the picture. Are you ready to give that presentation? We need more frontline nurses willing to do just that. Your voices are largely absent from the forums that influence thought leaders. There is openness now in leaders of healthcare organizations as well as those providing regulation, payment systems, education, and service to better understand how to fix the issues relevant to nursing shortages.
This is the time to overcome any expectation that someone else should speak for you when you are passionate about an issue. Step up to the challenge. Senator Elizabeth Warren famously said, "If you don't have a seat at the table, you are probably on the menu." Direct care nurses need to be front and center among the other key stakeholders at the table-or the podium-discussing relevant issues. Become involved in problem-solving, and let your voice be heard!
Until next time,
LINDA LASKOWSKI-JONES, MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CEN, NEA-BC, FAWM, FAAN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, NURSING2022